The latest Nintendo Switch system update has introduced the Virtual Game Cards system, a new feature set to be used with the upcoming Switch 2. This update has, however, closed a popular loophole that allowed users to play the same digital game online across two different Switch consoles simultaneously.
As reported by Eurogamer, users could previously launch a digital game on their primary console and play it online while another person logged into the same account on a different Switch could play the same game concurrently. The introduction of Virtual Game Cards has ended this practice.
Nevertheless, there is still a way to play a single copy of a digital game across two Switches by going offline. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can play a digital game without the Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being played elsewhere or the Switch playing it is offline. Here's the detailed description of the setting:"If this option is enabled, purchased digital software will be playable while the console is connected to the internet, even when the virtual game card for that software isn't loaded to the console. However, when using an online licence, only the user signed into the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the software will be able to play it; it will not be playable for other users on the console. Your virtual game cards can be used to play software regardless of this setting. Online licences cannot be used on multiple consoles at the same time. The online licence and virtual game card for a software title cannot be used at the same time."
In essence, if one Switch is offline, you can still enjoy the same game simultaneously on two different Switches. Eurogamer has confirmed that this method works effectively. The significant change here is that playing the same game online at the same time is no longer possible.
The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change, with users on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit voicing their frustrations over the impact on their previous game-sharing setups. The inability to play games online together is particularly irksome, especially for families and groups who enjoy playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft together.
For families with multiple children who want to play the same Switch game, this update could mean doubling the cost of purchasing games. Households that once played together will now need to buy additional copies. Although this update closes a loophole, it was a beneficial one for many, and the backlash is understandable.
This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will implement the same Virtual Game Cards system. The Switch 2 will also introduce Game-Key Cards, where some games will require an online download to play, as the full game won't be stored on the cartridge itself.
